Man grabs priest and confesses to killing his girlfriend

(Scroll down for video) A priest was forced into listening to a shocking confession.

A man on the run from Ohio, reportedly told a priest in a church in downtown Manhattan that he had killed his girlfriend in Columbus.

A fire was started near the battered woman's body.

Jonathan Smith, 48, had been living in a homeless shelter in New York City, after driving in from Columbus, Ohio. His Acura was towed and never reclaimed.

Smith's girlfriend, Darlene Hart, 48, was found severely beaten in her home on July 14.
Smith took a priest at St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31 Street and said: "I have to tell you something, I killed my girlfriend in Columbus, Ohio."

Smith’s "confession" was not considered a sacramental confession and the priest immediately contacted the police. Police said prosecutors will be able to use his confession in court.